Alhar Bikaneri
Alhad Bikaneri (Alhar Bikaneri) was a renowned hindi poet of "Hasya Ras" (Humor) of India. His original name was Shyamlal Sharma. He was born on 17 May 1937 in a small village named "Bikaner", District Rewari, Haryana, India. His Father's name was Sh. Chuttan Lal Sharma & Mother's name was Smt. Parvati Devi.
AWARDS & RECOGNISION
He is considered as one of the most famous hindi humor poet who used to recite poems by singing. He was considered as Expert of "Chandd Kavita"(Rydhym Poems). He was awarded & honored with India’s some of the most prestigious Awards of Hindi humor poetry like "Theetoli Award" Delhi(1981), "Kaka Hathrasi Award"(1986), Akhil Bharteeya Nagrik Parishad(1993), "Yatha-Sambhav Award" Ujjain(1997), "Kavya Gaurav Award" Delhi(1998), "Narendra- Mohan Award", "Maanas Award"(2000), "Tepa Award" Ujjain(2004), "Vyangya- Shri Award"(2004) & "Athasaas -Shikar Award"(2007).
In 1996 his work was appreciated by Honorable President of India Dr. Shankar Dyal Sharma. In 2000 Delhi State Govt. had honored him with "Kaka Hathrasi Sammaan" which is considered as one of the most prestigious award of Hindi Humor Poetry in India. In 2004, Haryana State Govt. had awarded him with "Haryana Gaurav" . His popularity was not only limited in India but was also known outside India for his work.
BACKGROUND
Nagmei hasi kei hain yeh, inhe gungunaeye
Kuch der kei liye zara hasiye-hasaeye
"Alhad" was born on 17-May 1937 in Bikaner, Haryana. He was the only son in family. Since childhood he was fascinated for music, literature & stage shows. But his father always wanted him to become an Engineer. In class 10th he was passed in first division & got scholarship. He took admission in Science stream at Aheer College Rewari, Haryana. After second year of college, he dropped studies. In Dec 1955 he started his first job at "Custodian office" Gurgaon, Haryana. He worked there for three months until Mar 1956. In April 1956 he joined Telegraph training centre at Saharanpur . But soon he was seriously sick with Malaria & Typhoid. It was a difficult time for him. His health was deteriorating day by day. Finally he was admitted to Irwin Hospital Delhi. After hard efforts of doctors ,his life was finally saved . Jan 1958 to Jun 1961 was the toughest period of his life. Problems was coming one after another. He lost few of his most dearest & nearest members including his father during this time. At that time , it was only support of his poems which had given him strength & motivation to keep going on & face all situations of life. But it was looking like there is no end of troubles . Whenever pain used to reach to its highest limits , he often used to speak these lines of famous poet “Mirza Galib” to himself , which used to give him strength to fight the situation.
Irshate katra hai , dariya mei , fanna ho jana,
Dard ka ,hadd se guzarna hai , dawa ho jana.
This extreme pain & suffering at young age, gave birth to Ghazal's writer "Mahir Bikaneri" This was a turning point in life. He started his writing career in 1962 as Ghazal writer with the pen name of "Mahir Bikaneri". During that time he was working as clerk in main post office, Kashmiri gate, Delhi. One day while working one thought clicked in his mind . He looked around in office & wrote his first humor poem "Afsar ji ki amar kahani". When he narrated that poem in office, it had created a magic. Everyone liked & appreciated it very much.
Then came year 1967. Those days he was very much impressed & motivated with writing work of “Shri Kaka Hathrasi”. In that motivation he wrote few humor poems also. One day he was sharing his poems to one of his friend "Shayar Razaa Amrohi". After listening those poems "Amrohiji" suggested him to write for Hindi Humor Poetry . This appreciation was the beginning . But final turning point in his poetic career was the book "Kaka Ki Phuljhariya". After reading this book, he decided to stop writing serious songs & Ghazals & entered to the world of humorous poems. He changed his Pen name to "Alhar/Alhad Bikaneri" & start writing for Hindi humor poetry . His first humor poem was published by India's most popular magazine "Dharmyug" on 23 Jun 1968. The title of poem was "Suniyojit Pariwaar"(Organized Family). The lines which was published are as below:
Koi kothi hai, Na koi plot hai
Dosthon Apna, Nirala thaat hai
Ek biwi, Teen bachhe, Aur hum
Paanch Prani, Ek tooti khaat hai
After this , his long journey of humorous poetry was started . He touched heights of successes & glory and gave special contribution to Hindi Poetry & literature. He did his first "Kavi Samelan" in 1967 at North Block, Delhi, in front of "Dada Bhawani Prasad Mishr". There he narrated his poem titled "Kamaal Dekte Hain" . After listening poem "Dada" was very much impressed with “Alhadji” . He gave his blessing to him & motivated him to keep going on this journey of Humor Poems. In 1968 one evening, his one friend Krish Swarup , took him to house of Shri. Gopal Prasad Vyas. Those days Vyasji was residing at Bhagirath Palace Delhi. “Alhad” was excited to present his poems in front of Vyas ji. When he finished his poem, Vyas ji commented him to first study & get in-depth knowledge of literature. He asked him to study the complete Literature which was written by him & thoroughly analyze it. After complete learning then start & create something new of his own . If able to do that then only come back to him again. This conversation had strong impact on Alhad. Again life was giving him challenge. Either take the challenge or stop writing. He accepted this challenge. For next two complete years he studied literature & improved his skills. After 2yrs of strong hard work, finally in 1970 Vyasji had accepted "Alhad" as his student . In Nov 1970 “ Vyasji” asked Alhad to travel with him to Kolkata . There in traditional & ceremonial way he accepted him as his student. 23 Jan 1971, for the first time he participated in "Lal Qila Kavi samelan" & recite his poem. .
His poems are for a general common man . A common man can see his owns reflection in them. He had written on various topics like tough situations of life, life of a common man, social problem & current issues like the degradation of literature, Office environment , evils of society, environmental conditions, current politic & politicians. He always used simple language & effective words in poems to express his feelings. It was his ability to describe & highlight a serious issue using humor tool, in such a way that at the end of poem your mind will be forced to think of it & will leave a question in your mind & a smile in your lips.
About this writing skills Dr. Devendra Arya said "Alhad ji humor is like a ray of glowing light in darkness. He is expert in expressing the pain, tears using his humor skills that the message goes to the heart of person directly with a great impact without causing any hurting".
Gi-dharr yahan per Ode hue hain , Sher ki khaal
Dekha hai humne Gho-ron sei behtar , Ghadhon ka haal
Kauwa liye hai cho-n-ch mei chamcham ka poora thaal
Bal kha kar lomdi chali morni ki chaal.
Ullu nei bad kei ,haans ki thami nakel hai,
Kudrat ka hai kamaal, mukkadar ka hai khel
In one of his poem he highlighted Inflation & the suffering of a common man due to this. See the beauty of “words” selected & the way its used for expressing the issue. It will make you laugh & will make you to think about the seriousness of this issue.
Bude Vishwamitra ki ho,
Safar tapasya kaise,
Chapal Menka si Mehangaee
Phire phudakti aaise, Jaise ghodi bina lagaam
Sitaram Radheshyam....
Bhaj man bumbhole ka naam....
Sitaram Radheshyam....
A poet is said to be complete poet if he can influence people of each generation. Who can write for present & for future as well. "Alhad Bikaneri" was one such gem for whom "Perfectness" is the correct word to define him. He had written poems for people of all generations. In 1967 he wrote a poem "Kalyugi Rasiya". In this poem he imagined, what will be the situation of Lord Krishna & what all experience he will have if lord take rebirth in Kalyuga .
Gali Gali Din rein phirat hain, Gau-ein maari maari,
Guwaal Bal Paltein milenge pille hei banwari
Unko bachre samajh charae jaeyo, bulae gayi Radha Pyari
Kaanho barsanei mei aa jaeyo, bulae gayi Radha Pyari
In the background of his most poems we can see a devotional background. The reason for this is linked with his personal life. When he was only 22yrs old on his father died. As a asset to his son he left one Musical instrument, Ramayana, Gita-Manthan, Ghandhi-Manthan, Ghandhivani , Bhuddhavani , Tamil ved & some more religious books. In Feb 1970, one day Alhad was chanting one of those religious book & he found one note in which some famous poets lines was published . Suddenly his eyes caught few lines of famous poet "Nazeer Akbarbaadi" . The lines written was as follows "Poore hain woh mard, joh har haal mei khush hain" . After reading these line he felt as if some magic had happened & chain of new thoughts originated in his mind. He felt he found a treasure which he was searching from years. Using these lines he wrote his own poem "Har Haal mei khush Hain" & later this poem was incorporated in his book "Mun Mast Hua" . Initially this poem had four paragraphs. Later considering its popularity it was expanded to 18 paragraphs.
His work & poems was published by many magazines. In most popular weekly magazine "Saptahik Hindustan" the first poem which was published in this magazine was "Har haal mei khush hain". Later many more poems were published by this magazine. It was in fact accepted by "Alhadji" the reason for his & his poems popularity goes to that time publisher of "Saptahik Hindustan" Mr. Manohar Shyam Joshi, who has given a platform through his magazine to make it possible to convey poems to a general man at National level. In just two years time, Alhad became a National Poet. All over India his popularity was at the peak. The poem "Har haal mei khush hai" had created a revolution in all India. Refer to these line of poem "Har Haal mei khush hain".
Hotel se Nikala, Toh kisi Park mei Pahucha
Light se Bhagaya, Toh kahin Dark mei Pahucha
Air sei udaya, Toh woh New York mei Pahucha
Paris mei, Chicago mei, Woh Denmark mei Pahucha
Karnaal mei patka , Toh woh Karnaal mei khush hain,
Poore hain woh mard , Joh har haal mei khush hain.
Jungle mei mila, Toonth, bade pyar sei chooma
Kheton mei mila, Uoont, bade pyar sei chooma
Shadi mei mila, Soot , bade pyar sei chooma
Gaunei mei mila, Boot, bade pyar sei chooma
Rumaal mila toh usi rumaal mei khush hain
Poore hain woh mard joh har haal mei khush hain
This poem gives a lesson to keep patience at any situation of life. Accept the challenges of life & face them boldly. Person should be able to keep himself happy in all situations. Life is never same, sometimes tough & other time tougher, but instead of crying about the situation the person who boldly faces them, accept the things & remain happy is the man in real way. Value the things which have been offered to you and accept it as a best gift from god. Life was never easy for him. In a young age, many problems came, but he took them as a challenge & faced them boldly. It was only his pen & passion for poetry, which was there always with him in all the tough & good times. Poetry was in his soul and he realized his destiny thru poetry. The time around 1970’s was the golden period of his poetic life. He gained maximum popularity during that period. The poems written by him during that period can be distinguished from the other period’s poems. In real way the poems written in 70’s reflects what “Alhad” is…!!!! These poems had given him fame, recognition & popularity. Its said a writer actually write what he really can feel. In that period Alhad was living a life of a normal man & was realizing the problems faced by a normal man. Due to this again and again in his all poems life of a normal life & the issues related with normal man was highligted by him.
He was born in small village Bikaner, Haryana . The Journey from Bikaner to Delhi can be travelled through his poems. When he came to Delhi, he was surprised to see colorful life of metro “Delhi” . Delhi had attracted & impressed him. Once he saw a scene & suddenly said these lines with surprise.
Laal dupatta reshmi, Laal Shirt-Salwaar
Laal motiyon ka liya pahan gale mei Haar,
Pahan gale mei haar, Laal kaano kei kundal
Laal makhmali purse, Laal paon mei sandel
Maathe bindiya Laal, roop jaise ranchandi
Maal-road per nikal padi khatare ki Jhandi
Writing poems is a difficult art. But writing humorous poems is more difficult. Now a day’s current writers are not using" Chandd style" in there poems, as its very difficult way & it can be only done if you have complete knowledge of language. "Alhad" was expert in this. His expertise was to write poems in "chandd style". This separates him from rest of poets. He was renowned for this skill. As mentioned above as well he was very much particular in selection of proper words for his poems. Until he gets the perfect match of word with suitable meaning he never used to move forward. His perfection for using the "proper word" was admirable. In fact many of his colleagues & poets used to visit him for taking his suggestions. He was very helpful & supportive in nature. Although in poetry world he was king of humor, but in real world he was a very simple & serious person. He was down to earth kind of person. His simplicity could be seen from the way of his dressing & his appearance. Big black eyes, thick eyebrows, his hairstyle & his way of speaking. He was very much careful in selection of each and every word he uses for his conversation. In fact if someone has not seen him personally or not met him earlier, it was difficult to know that he is same most famous poet of India. For explaining his personality Kaka Hathrasi has written a phuljhari for him:
अल्हड़ जी का स्वर मधुर, गोरा-चिट्टा चाम।
‘श्यामलाल’ क्यों रख दिया, घरवालों ने नाम।
घर वालों ने नाम, ‘शकीला’ पीटे ताली।
हमको दे दो, मूँगफली वाली कव्वाली।
इसे मंच पर गाने में जो होगी इनकम।
आधी तुम ले लेना, आधी ले लेंगे हम।
"Alhad Bikaneri" was a complete Poet. But behind this simple personality there was a "Alhad" who was sitting & was continuously giving his contribution to Hindi literature & was making it rich. In order to know & understand this simple man "The Alhad” one has to travel the journey of his poems. He can only be understood well by dissolving yourself in the depth of his magical poems. Alhad can be realized in this poems.
Apart from writing Ghazals & Poems, he also worked for cinema. In 1986 he had written Story, Script & Songs for a Regional Haryana Language Movie named "Choti Saali". He regularly used to recite Poems from Akashvaani (India Radio service) & Doordarshan (India TV Service). His Poems was regularly printed in Newspapers & Hindi Magazines . He had written many books. The most popular of them was "Bhaj Pyare Tu Sita Raam", "Ghaat-Ghaat Ghoome", "Abhi Hasta Hun", "Ab Toh Aansso Paunch", "Bhaisa Peewae Somras", "Thaath Ghazal ke", "Unchuae Haath", "Jai Madam Ki Bol Re", "Har Haal Mai Khush hai", "Khol Na Dena Dwar" & "Mun Mast Hua" . These lines from his famous poem " Mere Ram Ji" will definitely force you to say "Mere Ram Ji"....
Chaal mujh Tote ki budape mei badal Gayi
Badli Kahan Hai meri Toti “ Mere Ram Ji”'
Bahuein hain, Ghar Mei, magar Nij dhotiyon ko,
Khud hi ragad kar dhoti “ Mere Ram Ji”'
Phansi rahi moh mei, jawani se budape tak
Tote per nazar kab hoti “ Mere Ram Ji”'
Pahle toh paanch Beti- Baton to sulaya saath
Ab So rahe hain Poti-Pote “ Mere Ram Ji"
Some of the most famous Poems are Hasya Kawaali-Moongphali, Vote Mangan Nikle Neta ji, Market Value, Har Haal Mai Khush Hai, Anphad Dhanno, Ghaat-Ghaat Ghoomei, Chunaav Ghosna-Patra.......“Ghaat-Ghaat Ghoomei” was one of his most popular poem, which is one of the finest contribution in hindi humor poetry.
Ghaat ghaat ghoomei Nihaari saari duniya
Daata ek Ram, Bhikari saari duniya
Raja, Rank, Seth, Sanyasi
Bude aur nawase
Sab kursi kei liye phenkte
Ulte - seedhe Paasein
Draupdi aakeli, Juaari saari duniya
Daata ek Ram, Bhikari saari duniya
Aashiq , Aflatoon, Manchale
Bigde-dil Shah-zaade
Liye, ishq kei teer, gali mei
Khade nishana saadhe
Husan hai hirniyan, shikari saari duniya
Daata ek Ram, Bhikari saari duniya
Kahin na bujhti , pyaas pyar ki
Pran kanth mei atke
Ghar ki gori, club mei naache
Piya sadak per bhatke
Shaadishuda ho kei, kuwari saari duniya
Daata ek Ram, Bhikari saari duniya
Poems & Ghazals are in real way the reflection of our life . How humor originate from a tragedy can be seen from this poem. This poem is based on a real life incident of Alhadji. Its the incidence happened during the marriage of his eldest son. By reading these lines we can feel the depth of humor which was inside him. These lines are from his poem " Market Value"
Ghar se Phone Ghuma kar hum,
Dafftar sei chutti pa gaye,
Ladke ko dekne usi din
Ladkiwale aa gaye
Ladki ki mummy nei poocha,
Humse ruk kar ek pal,
Kis college mei pyare bete
Padtei ho tum Aajkal
Humne jawab diya-- "Devi ji"
Kis chakkar mei aap hain
Ladka College gaya hua hai
Hum ladke kei baap hain...
Behind those serious, big eyes, a young heart was there. Which was full of humor & it feels like with the age that heart was getting more young & cheerful. Lines from his poem "Hothon Sei chua kei moongphali". See the perfect combination of romance, tragedy & humor.
Mat poochiye phursat ki ghariya,
Hum kaise guzara kartein hain
Hoton sei chua kei moongphali,
Maashooq pe mara kartein hain.
"Alhad Bikaneri" LAST JOURNEY
आदि से अनूप हूँ मैं, तेरा ही स्वरूप हूँ मैं
मेरी भी कथाएँ हैं अनन्त मेरे राम जी
लागी वो लगन तुझसे कि मन मस्त हुआ
दृग में समा गया दिगन्त मेरे राम जी
सपनों में आ के कल बोले मेरी बुढ़िया से
बाल-ब्रह्मचारी हनुमन्त मेरे राम जी
लेता है धरा पे अवतार जाके सदियों में
‘अल्हड़’ सरीखा कोई सन्त मेरे राम जी
Year 2009 was a year of big losses for Hindi Literature & poetry world. Alhad bikaneri's health was getting down day by day. In spite of health related issues, Poems & Kavi Sammelan used to energise him. For a Poet the biggest medicine is "stage" , "claps" & "appreciation of his fans". On 8th June 2009 a big accident happened in Bhopal, in which famous poet & sitarist Om Prakash Aditya died along with three other poets in a road accident while coming back after attending Kavi Sammelan. "Om Prakash Aditya" had a special position in Alhad's life. Both of them were sharing a close bond in between. "Aditya" was like his big brother. Both of them belongs to Haryana & there village was nearby (5km)away. When alhad heard the news of sudden death of "Aaditya", it made him shocked. In his gratitude to "Aditya", "Alhad" had written these fews lines for him. The emotions & the heart condition of Alhad can be judged from these lines, in which he expressed his emotions.
'Aakar hasaya jisne, zamaane ko umr bhar,'
'Jaate hue, woh yaar hume rula gaya!!!'
Afer 9 days On 17 June 2009 "Alhad" left this world. He was suffering from respiratory health problems. The news of his death was a shocking news for the world of Poetry. It was one of the biggest loss. "Alhad Bikaneri" a complete poet, can never be born again. With his great work for hindi literature & poetry he will be lived in hearts of people for years to come. In 2012, in order to honor such a great legend of Literature , Haryana Sathiya Acadmey had declared "Aditya-Alhad Hasya Samman" .The award will be given every year now onwards. This award carries a cash price of INR 51,000/-.
From "Bikaner" to "Delhi", from "Mahir" to "Alhad-Vyang Shri" a long journey lived by him. He is still alive in his poems. The energy, the enthusiasm & the "Alhad pan”, "the attitude" which was shown while narrating poems on stage, is an "Asset"
All His Pen was not stopped even when he was admitted in ICU. The last lines written for himself at ICU…..
Alvida kah kar , kabhi
Laut kar , na aaunga
Shoonya se mei, Upja hoon ,
Shoonya mei , Samaunga………
He will be always alive in our hearts...
ख़ुद पे हँसने की कोई राह निकालूँ तो हँसूँ
अभी हँसता हूँ ज़रा मूड में आ लूँ तो हँसूँ
जिनकी साँसों में कभी गंध न फूलों की बसी
शोख़ कलियों पे जिन्होंने सदा फब्ती ही कसी
जिनकी पलकों के चमन में कोई तितली न फँसी
जिनके होंठों पे कभी भूले से आई न हँसी
ऐसे मनहूसों को जी भर के हँसा लूँ तो हँसूँ